Grandmother quits factory job - and so do her children - after $310m lottery win
Julie Leach had bought the tickets with a cup of coffee
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.No more night shifts at the fibreglass factory. In fact, no more work whatsoever.
A Michigan grandmother, her partner and her two adult children, have all quit their jobs after she won $310.5m on the lottery.
Julie Leach, 50, took home a one-time lump payment of $197.4m, or $140m after taxes, as she claimed her prize at the Michigan Lottery headquarters on Tuesday.
“I’m going to take care of my kids,” Ms Leach said, according to NBC. “I don't want them to have to work like I had to work and deal with the kinds of things I had to deal with over life. I just want to make it a good life for them, take care of them.”
She discovered she had won when she checked her numbers at the drive-thru line during her lunch break at a local McDonald’s. She was working an overnight shift at the fiberglass factory where she has worked for about 23 years and was having a “really bad night”.
“I’ll go visit, but I don’t want to work there no more,” she said.
Ms Leach had the option of an an annual payment over the next 30 years, or a smaller lump sum. She opted for the latter.
Her partner of 36 years and fellow factory worker, Vaughn Avery, had suggested she pick up some tickets on the way into work. The winning ticket came in $20 worth of Powerball tickets she bought with a cup of coffee from a local petrol station.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments